Defense

BRAC panel, lawmakers visit New England bases

Site visits likely the only time commissioners will tour the massive facilities before submitting their recommendations to the White House on Sept. 8.

Defense

Senators seek probe of base closing timetable

Senate Governmental Affairs leaders ask GAO to evaluate if Pentagon's recommendations appear to be "pre-ordained."

Defense

Bid to reduce funding for base closing initiative fails in House

Amendment allowing Congress to withhold funding until Pentagon officials release all BRAC information survives.

Defense

House nixes bid to delay BRAC round

Defeats amendment to put off current round of base closures before passing fiscal 2006 defense authorization measure.

Defense

Armed Services panel chief retreats on proposal to limit women in combat

Agreement would require the Pentagon to give Congress 60-days notice before opening more combat roles to women.

Defense

Chairman removes health care provision from defense measure

Amendment would have opened the Tricare system to all National Guard members and reservists.

Defense

House members fail in effort to derail base-closing commission

Armed Services Committee defeats measure to terminate base realignment and closure process.

News

House Armed Services panel OKs $441.6 authorization bill

Bill includes $49.1 billion in supplemental spending to fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Defense

House panel modifies restrictions on women in combat

Armed Services Committee eases limits passed by subcommittee last week, but requires the Pentagon to notify Congress when opening new positions to women.

News

BRAC panel questions proposed closure of submarine base

Commissioners quiz officials on alternatives to closing Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut, which would affect 8,500 military and civilian jobs.

News

House panel votes to boost spending for new Navy carrier

Budget increase contingent on earlier production date.

Defense

BRAC commissioners worry about retention in guard, reserves

Recommendation to consolidate National Guard and Reserve bases around the country could strain some troops' ability to report for weekend drill duties, commission members say.

Defense

Air Force might keep bases open after personnel moves

BRAC panel members express concern about impact of stripped down bases on local communities.

Defense

Familiar names show up on Army's closure list

Some of the service's oldest and best-known bases are slated to be shuttered or restructured.

Defense

Rumsfeld expected to restore funding for cargo aircraft

Defense secretary working with OMB to restore funding during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008 budget cycles.

Defense

House panel cuts authorization for Pentagon's IT programs

Move marks the third year the panel has reduced the department's IT funding.

Defense

House Armed Services chair will not push increase in troop size

In light of recruiting difficulties, using Defense authorization bill to require boost in troop levels would be "hollow increase," says Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.

Defense

Study urges Pentagon cuts as authorization work begins

Organizations recommend shifting $40.5 billion to Homeland Security Department budget.

Defense

Authorizers look to shield shipbuilding programs

To pay for them, Army's Future Combat Systems program, missile defense, and several communications programs might be targeted for reductions.